Ossicones

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The horn-like formations on the skulls of certain mammals, particularly giraffes, are composed of ossified cartilage and mainly function for display during mating rituals
2. These paired, bony protrusions that develop from the heads of some species, especially within the Giraffidae family, serve primarily for visual signaling and attraction
3. Pronounced projections arising from the skulls of specific mammals, particularly giraffes, which are made of bone and cartilage and play a role in both mating displays and social interactions

Etymology: The bumps on a giraffe's head are a fusion of two ancient words for "bone" and "cone." The first part comes from Latin "os," meaning bone, and the second from Middle French "cone," which traces back through Latin "cōnus" to Ancient Greek "kônos," a word for a spinning top or pine cone. Put together, the name describes a bony peak, which suits the knobby horns that giraffes carry. The ossicone is a bony growth that is covered in skin and fur rather than a true horn. Its use is mostly visual, as males rely on these protrusions in head-to-head clashes and in displays that signal dominance and attract mates.